Pressure-contact terminal

Abstract

A pressure-contact terminal (10) of the present disclosure comprises: a first pressure-contact part (22) that is in pressure contact with an electric wire (W), which is press-fitted in a first direction between a pair of first clamping pieces (20) such that a diameter direction aligns with the first direction; a second pressure-contact part (32) that is in pressure contact with the electric wire (W), which is press-fitted in the first direction between a pair of second clamping pieces (30) such that the diameter direction aligns with the first direction; a first guide part (23) configured so that the spacing between the pair of clamping pieces (20) becomes narrower toward the first pressure-contact part (22) in the first direction; a first cutting part (24) that connects the first pressure-contact part (22) and the first guide part (23) and cuts a coating (W2) of the electric wire (W); a second guide part (33) configured so that the spacing between the pair of second clamping pieces becomes narrower toward the second pressure-contact part (32) in the first direction; and a second cutting part (34) that connects the second pressure-contact part (32) and the second guide part (33) and cuts the coating (W2) of the electric wire (W). The first cutting part (24) and the second cutting part (34) are arranged at different positions in the first direction.

Description

Crimp terminal

[0001] The present disclosure relates to insulation displacement terminals.

[0002] One example of a known insulation displacement terminal is that described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 3-27712 (Patent Document 1 below). This insulation displacement terminal has an insulation displacement portion having a U-shaped slot that forms an insulation displacement blade.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-27712

[0004] If the force with which an electric wire is pressed against a crimping terminal when the electric wire is press-fitted into the crimping portion is defined as a "setting load," it is preferable that the maximum value of the setting load is small from the viewpoint of improving workability during assembly. In particular, when a large-diameter electric wire, such as a thick electric wire, is press-fitted into a crimping terminal, the setting load tends to be large, so it is desirable to reduce the maximum value of the setting load, i.e., to alleviate the setting load.

[0005] The crimp terminal of the present disclosure comprises: a first crimping portion that is crimped onto an electric wire that is crimped in a first direction between a pair of first clamping pieces so that the diameter direction thereof is along the first direction; a second crimping portion that is crimped onto the electric wire that is crimped in the first direction between a pair of second clamping pieces so that the diameter direction is along the first direction; a first introduction portion in which the spacing between the pair of first clamping pieces becomes narrower as it approaches the first crimping portion in the first direction; a first cutting portion that connects the first crimping portion and the first introduction portion and cuts the coating of the electric wire; a second introduction portion in which the spacing between the pair of second clamping pieces becomes narrower as it approaches the second crimping portion in the first direction; and a second cutting portion that connects the second crimping portion and the second introduction portion and cuts the coating of the electric wire, wherein the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion are arranged at different positions in the first direction.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the setting load when press-fitting an electric wire into a crimp terminal can be reduced.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a crimping terminal according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an electric wire is press-fitted into the crimping terminal of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an electric wire is press-fitted into the crimping terminal of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an electric wire is press-fitted into a conventional crimping terminal. Fig. 6 is a graph showing a load when an electric wire is press-fitted into the crimping terminal.

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. [1] A crimp terminal of the present disclosure includes a first crimping portion that crimps onto an electric wire that is crimped between a pair of first clamping pieces in a first direction so that the diameter direction of the crimping portion is along the first direction, a second crimping portion that crimps onto the electric wire that is crimped into between a pair of second clamping pieces in the first direction so that the diameter direction of the crimping portion is along the first direction, a first introduction portion in which the spacing between the pair of first clamping pieces becomes narrower as it approaches the first crimping portion in the first direction, a first cutting portion that connects the first crimping portion and the first introduction portion and cuts the insulation of the electric wire, a second introduction portion in which the spacing between the pair of second clamping pieces becomes narrower as it approaches the second crimping portion in the first direction, and a second cutting portion that connects the second crimping portion and the second introduction portion and cuts the insulation of the electric wire, wherein the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion are disposed at different positions in the first direction.

[0009] To press-fit an electric wire into the insulation displacement terminal, the electric wire is introduced into both the first introduction portion and the second introduction portion, and then the electric wire is further pushed toward the first and second insulation displacement portions. The set load, which is the force pressing the electric wire into the insulation displacement terminal when the electric wire is pressed into the insulation displacement terminal, reaches a first peak load when one of the first or second cutting portion cuts the insulation and one of the subsequent insulation displacement portions presses against the core wire. The set load then reaches a second peak load when the other cutting portion cuts the insulation and the subsequent insulation displacement portion presses against the core wire. This offsets the first and second peak loads, thereby reducing the set load.

[0010] [2] In the crimp terminal described in [1], it is preferable that the crimp terminal comprises a connecting portion connecting one of the first clamping pieces and one of the second clamping pieces, a first opposing piece connected to the other of the first clamping pieces and arranged in a position opposite the connecting portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second opposing piece connected to the other of the second clamping pieces and arranged overlapping the first opposing piece in the second direction, wherein the introduction end of the electric wire in the first introduction portion and the introduction end of the electric wire in the second introduction portion are arranged in positions aligned in the first direction, the distance from the introduction end to the first cutting portion in the first direction is longer than the distance from the introduction end to the second cutting portion, and the first opposing piece is positioned outward and farther from the connecting portion than the second opposing piece.

[0011] When the electric wire is press-fitted into the insulation displacement terminal, the second cutting portion first cuts the coating, and then the second insulation displacement portion presses against the core wire, causing the other second clamping piece to try to open in the second direction due to a reaction force from the electric wire. However, because the first opposing piece is located further outward from the connecting portion than the second opposing piece, the first opposing piece suppresses the displacement of the second opposing piece, thereby suppressing the opening of the other second clamping piece.

[0012] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In the drawings, for the convenience of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ between drawings. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not only refer to a strict orthogonal relationship, but also includes a roughly orthogonal relationship within the scope of the operation and effect of this embodiment.

[0013] In addition, "facing" in this specification refers to surfaces or components facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. In addition, "facing" in this specification includes both cases where a component separate from the two components is interposed between the two components, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two components.

[0014] 1 to 6, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow Z is the upward direction, the direction indicated by the arrow X is the forward direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the leftward direction. Note that, in some cases, when multiple identical components are used, only some of the components will be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals for the other components will be omitted.

[0015] (Insulation Displacement Terminal 10) The insulation displacement terminal 10 of this embodiment is a terminal used, for example, to connect electric wires routed inside an automobile. As shown in Fig. 1, the insulation displacement terminal 10 has a pair of first clamping pieces 20 located on the upper side and a pair of second clamping pieces 30 located on the lower side. The insulation displacement terminal 10 also has a connecting portion 40 that connects the right edge of one of the first clamping pieces 20 located on the right side to the right edge of one of the second clamping pieces 30 located on the right side. The insulation displacement terminal 10 can be made of a metal such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the insulation displacement terminal 10, the electric wire W is crimped at two locations: between a pair of first clamping pieces 20 and between a pair of second clamping pieces 30. The electric wire W is a well-known insulated electric wire configured by covering the periphery of a core wire W1 with a coating W2. The core wire W1 is, for example, a stranded wire configured by twisting together conductive metal wires. Note that the core wire W1 may also be a solid wire consisting of a single metal wire. The material of the core wire W1 can be metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. Meanwhile, the coating W2 is configured from an insulating resin.

[0017] (First clamping pieces 20) The pair of first clamping pieces 20 are arranged side by side with a gap between them in the left-right direction. A substantially U-shaped first slot 21 is formed between the pair of first clamping pieces 20. The first slot 21 opens forward. The electric wire W is press-fitted into the first slot 21 from the front so that the diameter direction of the electric wire W is along the front-rear direction (an example of the first direction). The first slot 21 is configured to include a first press-contact portion 22 and a first introduction portion 23 located in front of the first press-contact portion 22.

[0018] The distance between the pair of first clamping pieces 20 in the first insulation displacement portion 22 is constant in the front-to-rear direction. When the electric wire W is press-fitted into the first insulation displacement portion 22, the first insulation displacement portion 22 presses against the core wire W1 of the electric wire W. On the other hand, the distance between the pair of first clamping pieces 20 in the first introduction portion 23 becomes narrower as it approaches the first insulation displacement portion 22 from the introduction end 25 of the electric wire W.

[0019] The obtuse angle portion connecting the first insulation displacement portion 22 and the first introduction portion 23 serves as a first cutting portion 24. When the electric wire W is inserted into the first cutting portion 24, the insulation W2 of the electric wire W is cut. Therefore, when the electric wire W is introduced from the introduction end 25 into the first introduction portion 23, the insulation W2 is cut by the first cutting portion 24, and then the first insulation displacement portion 22 is brought into pressure contact with the core wire W1. In this way, the pair of first clamping pieces 20 and the electric wire W are electrically connected.

[0020] A first opposing piece 26 is formed extending downward from the left edge of the left first clamping piece 20. The first opposing piece 26 is disposed perpendicular to the left first clamping piece 20. The first opposing piece 26 is disposed in a position opposite the connecting portion 40 in the left-right direction.

[0021] (Second clamping pieces 30) The pair of second clamping pieces 30 are arranged with a gap between them in the up-down direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction relative to the pair of first clamping pieces 20. The pair of second clamping pieces 30 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction. A second slot 31 having a generally U-shape is formed between the pair of second clamping pieces 30. The second slot 31 is open to the front. The electric wire W is press-fitted into the second slot 31 from the front so that the diameter direction of the electric wire W is along the front-rear direction. The second slot 31 is configured with a second press-contact portion 32 and a second introduction portion 33 located in front of the second press-contact portion 32.

[0022] The distance between the pair of second clamping pieces 30 in the second insulation displacement portion 32 is constant in the front-to-rear direction. When the electric wire W is press-fitted into the second insulation displacement portion 32, the second insulation displacement portion 32 presses against the core wire W1 of the electric wire W. On the other hand, the distance between the pair of second clamping pieces 30 in the second introduction portion 33 becomes narrower as it approaches the second insulation displacement portion 32 from the introduction end 35 of the electric wire W.

[0023] The obtuse angle portion connecting the second insulation displacement portion 32 and the second introduction portion 33 serves as a second cutting portion 34. When the electric wire W is inserted through the second cutting portion 34, the insulation W2 of the electric wire W is cut. Therefore, when the electric wire W is introduced from the introduction end 35 into the second introduction portion 33, the insulation W2 is cut by the second cutting portion 34, and then the second insulation displacement portion 32 is brought into pressure contact with the core wire W1. In this way, the pair of second clamping pieces 30 and the electric wire W are electrically connected.

[0024] A second opposing piece 36 is formed on the left edge of the left second clamping piece 30 and continues upward. The second opposing piece 36 is arranged perpendicular to the left second clamping piece 30. The second opposing piece 36 is arranged in a position facing the connecting portion 40 in the left-right direction. The first opposing piece 26 and the second opposing piece 36 are arranged overlapping each other in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the first opposing piece 26 is located outward (to the right) and farther from the connecting portion 40 than the second opposing piece 36.

[0025] 3 , the introduction end 25 of the electric wire W in the first introduction portion 23 and the introduction end 35 of the electric wire W in the second introduction portion 33 are aligned in the front-rear direction. A distance L1 from the introduction end 25 to the first cutting portion 24 in the front-rear direction is longer than a distance L2 from the introduction end 35 to the second cutting portion 34. In other words, the first cutting portion 24 and the second cutting portion 34 are aligned in different positions in the front-rear direction.

[0026] When the electric wire W is press-fitted into the insulation displacement terminal 10, the electric wire W is guided rearward by the first introduction portion 23 and the second introduction portion 33. The insulation W2 of the electric wire W is first cut by the second cutting portion 34, and then the core wire W1 is crimped by the second insulation displacement portion 32. At this time, the set load when the electric wire W is press-fitted into the insulation displacement terminal 10 reaches a first peak load, as shown by A1 in FIG. 6 . Then, the insulation W2 is cut by the first cutting portion 24, and then the first insulation displacement portion 22 crimps onto the core wire W1. At this time, a second peak load is reached, as shown by A2 in FIG. 6 . In contrast, with conventional insulation displacement terminals, the first and second peak loads are reached simultaneously, resulting in a peak load higher than A1, as shown by B1 in FIG. 6 . Therefore, with the insulation displacement terminal 10 of this embodiment, the maximum set load can be reduced by approximately half compared to conventional insulation displacement terminals.

[0027] In the conventional insulation displacement terminal 1, as shown in Fig. 5, when a peak load is reached, the insulation displacement piece 4 is prone to deformation due to the reaction force from the electric wire W, causing the opposing piece 2 to open outward away from the connecting portion 3. In contrast, in the insulation displacement terminal 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, when the reaction force from the electric wire W causes the left second clamping piece 30 to open leftward, the first opposing piece 26 is located to the left of the second opposing piece 36, so that the leftward displacement of the second opposing piece 36 is suppressed, and the opening of the left second clamping piece 30 is suppressed.

[0028] (Operation and effect of this embodiment) The insulation displacement terminal 10 of this embodiment includes a first insulation displacement portion 22 that is in pressure contact with the electric wire W that is press-fitted between the pair of first clamping pieces 20 in the front-rear direction so that the diameter direction is along the front-rear direction, a second insulation displacement portion 32 that is in pressure contact with the electric wire W that is press-fitted between the pair of second clamping pieces 30 in the front-rear direction so that the diameter direction is along the front-rear direction, and a first introduction portion 23 in which the distance between the pair of first clamping pieces 20 becomes narrower as it approaches the first insulation displacement portion 22 in the front-rear direction. The cutting section 24 is provided with a first cutting section 24 that connects the first pressure contact section 22 and the first introduction section 23 and cuts the coating W2 of the electric wire W, a second introduction section 33 in which the spacing between the pair of second clamping pieces 30 becomes narrower as it approaches the second pressure contact section 32 in the front-to-rear direction, and a second cutting section 34 that connects the second pressure contact section 32 and the second introduction section 33 and cuts the coating W2 of the electric wire W, and the first cutting section 24 and the second cutting section 34 are arranged at different positions in the front-to-rear direction.

[0029] To press-fit the electric wire W into the insulation displacement terminal 10, the electric wire W is introduced into both the first introduction portion 23 and the second introduction portion 33, and the electric wire W is then further pushed toward the first insulation displacement portion 22 and the second insulation displacement portion 32. The set load, which is the force pressing the electric wire W against the insulation displacement terminal 10 when the electric wire W is pressed into the insulation displacement terminal 10, reaches a first peak load when the second cutting portion 34 cuts the insulation W2 and the second insulation displacement portion 32 presses the core wire W1. Thereafter, the set load reaches a second peak load when the first cutting portion 24 cuts the insulation W2 and the first insulation displacement portion 22 presses the core wire W2. This offsets the first and second peak loads, thereby reducing the set load.

[0030] The clamping member is provided with a connecting portion 40 connecting the first clamping piece 20 on the right side and the second clamping piece 30 on the right side, a first opposing piece 26 connected to the first clamping piece 20 on the left side and positioned opposite the connecting portion 40 in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, and a second opposing piece 36 connected to the second clamping piece 30 on the left side and positioned overlapping the first opposing piece 26 in the left-to-right direction, wherein the introduction end 25 of the electric wire W in the first introduction portion 23 and the introduction end 35 of the electric wire W in the second introduction portion 33 are positioned to be aligned in the front-to-back direction, and the distance L1 from the introduction end 25 to the first cutting portion 24 in the front-to-back direction is longer than the distance L2 from the introduction end 35 to the second cutting portion 34, and the first opposing piece 26 is positioned further outward from the connecting portion 40 than the second opposing piece 36.

[0031] When the electric wire W is press-fitted into the insulation displacement terminal 10, first the second cutting portion 34 cuts the coating W2, and then the second insulation displacement portion 32 presses against the core wire W1, causing the left second clamping piece 30 to try to open to the left due to a reaction force from the electric wire W. However, because the first opposing piece 26 is located to the left of the second opposing piece 36, the opening of the second opposing piece 36 is inhibited by the first opposing piece 26, and the opening of the left second clamping piece 30 is also inhibited.

[0032] (Other Embodiments) The above-described embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows: The above-described embodiments can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the distance L1 from the introduction end 25 to the first cutting portion 24 in the front-rear direction is longer than the distance L2 from the introduction end 35 to the second cutting portion 34, but the distance L1 may be shorter than the distance L2. In other words, it is sufficient that the first cutting portion 24 and the second cutting portion 34 are disposed at different positions in the front-rear direction.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the first opposing piece 26 and the second opposing piece 36 overlap in the left-right direction, but the first opposing piece 26 and the second opposing piece 36 may not overlap in the left-right direction. Also, either the first opposing piece 26 or the second opposing piece 36 may be disposed on the outer side of the insulation displacement terminal.

[0035] 10: Pressure contact terminal 20: First clamping piece 21: First slot 22: First pressure contact portion 23: First introduction portion 24: First cutting portion 25: Introduction end 26: First opposing piece 30: Second clamping piece 31: Second slot 32: Second pressure contact portion 33: Second introduction portion 34: Second cutting portion 35: Introduction end 36: Second opposing piece 40: Connection portion L1, L2: Distance W: Electric wire W1: Core wire W2: Cover

Claims

1. A crimp terminal comprising: a first crimping portion that crimps onto an electric wire that is crimped in a first direction between a pair of first clamping pieces with the diameter direction aligned with the first direction; a second crimping portion that crimps onto the electric wire that is crimped in the first direction between a pair of second clamping pieces with the diameter direction aligned with the first direction; a first introduction portion in which the spacing between the pair of first clamping pieces becomes narrower the closer it is to the first crimping portion in the first direction; a first cutting portion that connects the first crimping portion and the first introduction portion and cuts the insulation of the electric wire; a second introduction portion in which the spacing between the pair of second clamping pieces becomes narrower the closer it is to the second crimping portion in the first direction; and a second cutting portion that connects the second crimping portion and the second introduction portion and cuts the insulation of the electric wire, wherein the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion are arranged at different positions in the first direction.

2. A crimp terminal as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a connecting portion connecting one of the first clamping pieces and one of the second clamping pieces; a first opposing piece continuing to the other of the first clamping pieces and arranged in a position facing the connecting portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a second opposing piece continuing to the other of the second clamping pieces and arranged overlapping the first opposing piece in the second direction, wherein the introduction end of the electric wire in the first introduction portion and the introduction end of the electric wire in the second introduction portion are arranged in positions aligned in the first direction, the distance from the introduction end to the first cutting portion in the first direction is longer than the distance from the introduction end to the second cutting portion, and the first opposing piece is located outward and farther from the connecting portion than the second opposing piece.

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